Called “stark, haunting elegance” with “intimate focus” by The Washington Post and "ethereal" by The Wire, Colombian-born composer and electroacoustic musician James Díaz blends digital techniques with collaborative exploration. His music spans electronic compositions, amplified solo works, orchestral pieces, and multimedia creations, crafting psychedelic, immersive environments.
Díaz has received numerous international and national awards. His work B-sides was featured on La Nueva Filarmonía’s album, which was nominated for the 2024 Latin Grammy Award for Best Classical Album. Díaz, serving as the first-time ever composer-in-residence for the Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín, premiered RETRO, his largest work for orchestra and electronics, in 2019.
Díaz’s works have been performed by the New York Philharmonic, Basel Sinfonietta, WDR Sinfonieorchester, Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia, La Nueva Filarmonía, American Composers Orchestra, Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín, Juilliard MAP Orchestra, Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Ensembles such as the New York New Music Ensemble, Longleash, Sō Percussion, Yarn/Wire, HUB New Music, TAK Ensemble, National Sawdust Ensemble, La Sociedad, and Unheard-of//ensemble have also performed his work.
Díaz’s music has been featured in festivals including Time:Spans in New York, ACHT BRÜCKEN and SinusTon in Germany, Culturescapes in Switzerland, and the International Winter Festival of Campos do Jordão in Brazil.
Díaz’s music is published by Schott New York (PSNY).